Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent

Br. Arsalan Aslam
Christ the King Seminary, Karachi.

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves and to welcome Christ, the prince of peace among us. On the First Sunday of Advent, we begin the new Liturgical Year and God calls us to stay awake and to be ready, so that when Christ Jesus comes, we will be able to receive Him into us, into our homes, and above all in our hearts. 

As we start our journey towards Christmas, God wants us to experience a deep and meaningful preparation for His second coming. As today we hear in the Gospel of the first Sunday of Advent (Mathew 24:44) “Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. 

Also Read: Gaudete Sunday – A joyful waiting in Advent
Also Read: The inexplicable silence of God

In the present world, where each moment changes everything, all humans are running behind worldly things to get worldly treasures, but as true Catholic believers, we have to evaluate whether we are behind worldly things or fulfilling teachings and commandments of our God. As true Catholic Christians, we have to follow Christ and the ways he taught us in the Gospels. We have to take the decision today; Pope Francis says about Christian decision-making, “It has to do with the Plan of God for me. It has to do with the meaning of my life before the Father who knows and Loves me, with the real purpose of my life, which nobody knows better than Him” (Christus Vivit, no.154). 

So, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ let us today take the firm decision to make ourselves pure to welcome Child Jesus among ourselves and implement the Gospel values to Love, share, take care of others, and make ourselves fully humble at the start of this Blessed Season of Advent. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.!